Help choosing an acoustic

[Whyte Ice]

I've done a lot of searches on this board for great guitars to look at that are in the "bang for a buck" area but I'm still pretty unsure on what to go for. I was hoping some of you would give your suggestions and why it's a good acoustic guitar. I'm looking for something that I could record and play in a live setting. My budget does not exceed the $300 range so somewhere around there is my target.

Right now I'm using a real crappy Fender Acoustic/Electric. It's almost impossible to get a decent sound out of it now, especially when recording.

Any suggestsion and comments are well appreciated.

 

[Buck62]

No need to go beyond this post...

YAMAHA

It's as good as it gets in the $300 range!

Trust me on this.

 

[TexRoadkill]

Or a Taylor Big Baby.

 

[corg]

I agree with the Yamaha comment. I got a Yamaha FG413s, it plays great, sounds great. Has amazing tone, its a great little guitar, and the good thing is you dont need to be quite as cautious. You can bring it to the beach or a bonfire, and itll hold up. Only thing I dont like sometimes are the tuners, maybe a little higher than this might have better tuners. This was 250. Just go play a bunch, find the one that suits you best.

-Corey

 

[c7sus]

I hate to be such an asshole..............

But $300 isn't gonna get anybody a decent acoustic guitar.

Keep saving and buy something with good tone and playability.

A cheap guitar isn't worth anything if it's no fun to play and has cardboard tone.

Check this out:

http://www.shadetreeguitars.com/STree News/S Tree Newsletter 3.htm

 

[rpe]

ditto Yamaha. I have a 20 year old FG-340-II and it plays great. Cost $180, 20 years ago, I added a piezo under the saddle pickup and pre-amp many years ago. I wouldn't take less than $500 for it now.

good luck,

rpe

 

[lost studios]

Another vote for Yamaha here... I've got an old FG that's literally been everywhere... including on a few tracks!

good luck
ls

 

[tjohnston]

$300 isn't gonna get anybody a decent acoustic guitar.

Keep saving and buy something with good tone and playability.

A cheap guitar isn't worth anything if it's no fun to play and has cardboard tone.

I second that... The big baby taylor is almost nice but its still not the real thing. Unless you are buying a solid body non laminate guitar; you are just buying an imitation. A Taylor or Martin will sound wonderfull long after you have left this world

 

[Light]

It is true that you will not get a very good acoustic for $300, that does not mean you can not get a playable instrument. In that price range, I also have to agree that the best bang for your buck is Yamaha. Their craftmanship is quite good for the price. I would make sure, however, that you allocate some money to get your guitar setup as well. It will make a big difference in your enjoyment of the instrument.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi

 

[the dude]

IMMA TAK MAN! (takamine) EXCELLENT

 

[LI_Slim]

I agree that Yamahas are good in that range. The cheap Takamines are not as good. If you are willing to bleed over the $300 level a little and get a Seagull, however, you will be glad.


Check out this review:

http://www.epinions.com/content_112521875076

 

[Ricklh]

I have a Takamine GS330S which is their low-end acoustic (no pick-up) but when I was shopping last year, I tried the low-end Martins & Taylors, Seagull, and even the Takamines with on-board pick-ups and, for the money, I felt the GS330S was the best value in terms of playability and tone. The guitar goes for around $250 and I'd definitely recommend you include it in your audition list, considering your budget limitation.

 

[onlyfingers]

$300 might be right around the Seagull price range. I've got a Simon and Patrick, made by the same company. When I got the S & P abotu 13 years ago, I chose it over Yamahas. Yamahas were loud, but shrill rather than "sweet." (You have to let your ears tell you what to do.)

You can learn about all kinds of guitars at Harmony Central.

http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/Data4/Seagull/

Also, if you haven't been there, check out Guitar.com

You now have the frustration of having an instrument you are not happy with. In my view, $300 is a lot to pay to be dissatisfied. What I mean is, if you play a lot of guitars in the $300 or less neighborhood, and one does not hit you on the head with how nice it is, consider plugging away with the Fender a while longer, so you can try the $400 and $500 guitars.

Good luck, and happy hunting!

 

[Bobcat102122]

My favorite acoustic guitar is my Tacoma Em9-e2. its a mini-jumbo that is solid mahogany with a solid sprucet top. Simply put: it sings. I bought it on ebay for right around 400. it's probably even cheaper now. No regrets, loved it since the day it arrived. Go play any tacoma and see for yourself! tone is wonderful, deep and sparkly at the same time, and the electronics are satisfactory. Anyone agree?

 

[tdukex]

Yes, you can find a decent guitar for a little over $300. The Seagulls are nice, and a Larrivee Parlor is a fabulous sounding/playing solid wood guitar that I defy anyone on this Board (who's actually played one) to disagree with.

The guys over at acoustic guitar.com love the Larrivee Parlor, and reports are it is a fine recording instrument as well.

http://www.acousticguitar.com/ubbcgi/Ultimate.cgi

Now, if you want the canon-like boom of a Martin dreadnaught or a Gibson Jumbo, then you are out of luck in the $300 range.

 

[Echoes]

"a Larrivee Parlor is a fabulous sounding/playing solid wood guitar that I defy anyone on this Board (who's actually played one) to disagree with. "

Well, no luck so far, as I've never heard of Larrivee Parlor.

I would definitely consider trying to find a used instrument, because in your price range there are not too many good acoustics that can be bought new. Just my $.02, though.

 

[onlyfingers]

Well, no luck so far, as I've never heard of Larrivee Parlor.

[/B]

Echoes: If you like accoustic guitars and are in the Boston area, check out The Music Emporium on Mass Ave on the Arlington/Lexington line. Lots of guitars that mere mortals can only lust after (ever see a Collings at Guitar Center?), but there are a few that are what most would call affordable. Their web site says they have the Larivee Parlor in stock

http://www.themusicemporium.com/new_flattops.htm#larrivee

 

[Chip Hitchens]

I would agree with the comments about Larrivees and Seagulls.

Also, I have a friend who got an Alvarez in the $300 price range a few years ago that I didn't like much at first, but as he's played it in, it's really opened up. That's something I had a hard time believing when I moved up from a laminate top to a solid top, but I've found it to be true: solid wood guitars do break in as you play them and get better with age.

 

[7evin]

agreement

IMMA TAK MAN! (takamine) EXCELLENT

I agree with this. Takamine puts out a base line model acoustic for about $100-120. Plays really nice, sound pretty good. I highly recomend this guitar. As far as the people saying that you need to save up for some un-godly expensive guitar.... It is better (of course), but sometimes your paying for the name and different kinds of wood that make very minor changes in the guitars tone and playability. If you do want to save up and blow the wad on a expensive acoutic guitar, look into GUILD.

 

[Darkstar]

Another vote here for Yamaha in the cheapo price range. My first ever guitar was an FS-310, must be from about 86' or so and that guitar still sounds great to this day. Also owned a later model Yamaha acoustic/electric cutaway with unbearably high action, but sounded superb. Could never figure out what it was about them that made them sound so decent. Go figure.